So Sue has headed north for a stitching event and left me all by myself so what should I do? Warning… this may contain explicit stuff that you may not really want to know about so those with weak hearts may want to read something else. Unlike the last time Sue was out (and I was sick) this time around I’m feeling pretty hunky-dory so I did what any red blooded American male would do when their wife’s away… I sorted my comic book collection. I know, I know, it is wild & crazy- but a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. Actually I didn’t go through my entire collection, I just went through those comic that were upstairs in my office. This is usually around a years worth of comics along with anything I may have pulled from the basement. So I thought I would share a little of what I have been reading over the past 12+ months. Looking at the stacks that now surround me it looks like I am reading a mix of titles from Marvel & DC along with a few independents… although it looks like mostly DC, so let’s start there. Justice League of America- I don’t remember why I starting picking this up again, it may have been an interesting cover, or a crossover but I can’t say I’m too enthralled with the title… Although Justice League : Cry for Justice has been one I am now looking forward to. Then again I really enjoy James Robinson’s writing especially how he pulls in lesser known characters. Justice Society of America – I like the idea behind the Justice Society and remember when I started out reading comics reading All-Star which usually dealt with the golden age heroes. This whole bringing in the Kingdom Come heroes is wearing on me though. Although I must say the recent murder storyline has me intrigued. Batman – this includes a number of Batman titles, but with the “death” of Bruce Wayne (oops! sorry for the spoiler) I started reading Batman & Robin and then Batman just to see how Nightwing would carry on. I’m not as well versed in the recent Batman lore, but I am enjoying both titles. Flash – OK so we are once again in transition with the Flash… Since this was the first character I recall reading & as a kid I had a red sweatsuit I would run around in (Thank you Super Friends), I guess you could say I’m hoping for a good reboot… only time will tell. The rebirth story is interesting, but is taking a backseat to the latest Mega-Event. Titans – This also includes related titles. The first comic I really remember buying reading and saving was the Teen Titans.  I don’t know what it was about the title (at that point it was around issue 45) but I liked it and when the New Teen Titans came out.  In the stack on the floor is also the Year One series which is really what I’m hoping for at some time.  It was neat to grow up with these characters… but now what? Mega-Events- I have really tried to stay away from the various events that the major companies throw together.  I read Identity Crisis because it was a good story, but that lead to this crisis, and that crisis and then to Final Crisis and I still don’t have my head around that so we now have Blackest Night Which the main comic is interesting, but all the connected issues just give me a headache.  Why don’t you just finish an arc and in the next comic whatever changes (because of said Earth shattering event) get incorporated with a little editor’s note: “Wha Huh? Just pick up Mega-Event #24 for all the details.”  As you know I have tried some of the Blackest Night crossovers and was not impressed.  I will continue to read Blackest Night because it is interesting, however there is a part of me that wishes I have just waited for the trade. Fables – Bill Willingham had me hooked after reading the first arc… OK the second arc in this great series.  I did pick up Jack of Fables but I can’t say how long I’m going to stick with it… except for the “Babe the Blue Ox” pages which are amusing I’m just feeling a little lost.  As for the main title I was a little leery, but am curious how this arc will finally end. Ex Machina – quick premise the Mayor of New York can talk to machines (and therefore control them) and was once a masked hero.  Great look at politics and the common man trying to do what’s right.  I kind of wish all politicians were more like Mitchell Hundred.  One of my favorite stories dealt with trying to hire the guys to create a comic book about the mayor, very amusing. Marvel Comics: Gosh when I look at the comics I have I would have been hard pressed to predict Disney’s purchase of Marvel.  I am curious as to how it will play out in the future. Avengers – I started reading the Avengers when Bendis created the new team and it was interesting.  Unfortunately, with Civil War then Secret War and now Dark Reign I’m really getting turned off to Marvel.  I hate to say it, but when I started Marvel characters had character now I’m just confused and I think if you look at my limited Marvel title you might see that I have almost given up. Daredevil – I started reading Daredevil when my friend Keith let me read some of his (He was a Marvel Zombie while I read exclusively DC).  So I get introduced to Marvel through Frank Miller’s Daredevil around the time where Bullseye kills Electra.  Not a bad time to be reading.  I also moved on to Claremont & Byrne’s X-Men. I still have many of the issues I had in high school.  back to Daredevil, it has been interesting to see how things are playing out and I am sticking with the title mostly because it has stayed away from all the mega-events which has kept it fairly solid when it comes to the storytelling. Captain America – The sad part is I decided to stop reading Cap right before issue 25.  The whole Civil War event had just made me tired… so what happens- they kill off Cap.  I had been brought back to Captain America with the Winter Soldier arc so now I’m sitting here following along waiting to see what happens next.  The future is going to be interesting- I just wish they would get on with it. Other Companies (even if they are affiliated with DC or Marvel): Invincible – When I picked up the first issue I was entertained and came back for more… then Kirkman started throwing curveballs.  The kind of things I remember making my chin drop when Wolfman & Perez were doing the Teen Titans.  All I can say is this is one of the best superhero comics out there.  If you haven’t at least picked up a trade at the library you are missing out. The Walking Dead – Yes, it’s another Kirkman written title and when Sean (one of my former students) recommended it all I could think of was “C’mon a zombie comic?”  While not for everyone, it is a great story with great characters. Irredeemable – Mark Waid has really come up with an interesting story about an all powerful hero who (as far as we can tell) has gone a little funny in the head.  This is one of those titles I look forward to reading even though it can be a little disturbing. Project Superpowers – I try to keep up with this one, although sometimes I forget (I am getting old) Alex Ross has gone back and is using golden age heroes that have basically been lost from our group memory and has brought them back into a brave new world… If you can find the trade (I think there is a trade available) I would pick up chapter 1. Do I have other comics lying around my floor right now?  Sure single issues of things that have been recommended to me.  When I stop by a comic shop that I haven’t been to before I always to try to find something to buy.  Usually it’s stuff that I was curious about, but figured I would check it out later. My regular shop (Comic Carnival North) I have been going to for almost 15 years.I returned to comic books during grad school when I needed something to relieve the stress.  The shop was on the way to class, and once I started filling out a sub sheet I was kind of hooked. Sue should be back tonight so I better get this stuff moved… maybe she won’t notice.